Expertly crafted wood furniture can be the centerpiece of a space and tie a room together. However, pets can leave scratch marks that mar the surface of these pieces and ruin them. However, most of this damage is cosmetic and can be fixed easily. Consult your local furniture repair shop and try the following furniture restoration tips.

How to Fix Animal Scratches On Wood Furniture

1. Colorize

Light, thin surface scratches can often be masked with artist supplies. Pick up a box of crayons and see if you can find a close color match and fill in the scratch. If it doesn’t match, don’t worry, as the wax is easy to remove. You can do the same with an eyebrow pencil or oil-based paint. If you want a perfect match, try specialty markers. Many hardware stores sell wood furniture touch-up markers in various stains and shades. These are often recommended for scratches that have penetrated the seal and cut into the wood. If you use any of these products, make sure to brush and color in the same direction as the scratch, so it blends well.

2. Sand & Buff

Sanding can remove scratches from protective coats. Use wet 600 grit sandpaper on polyurethane and urethane finishes. Sand over the scratch, moving only in the direction of the scratch, and apply wax over the area. Be careful not to over-sand the area, as you could wear through the coating and damage the wood. To resolve these issues, it’s often best to turn to furniture restoration professionals.

3. Turn to the Pantry

Many foods and food products can be used to fix scratches. The meat from various nuts can fill in damaged areas. You can use lemon juice and a lint cloth to resolve surface scratches or rub coffee grounds into areas with a Q-tip to buff out cosmetic issues. The tannins in tea may also fill and “re-stain” the damaged areas if you can match the specific color.

If you’re dealing with deep, difficult scratches, turn to Tri-County Furniture Restoration. These professionals are backed by 36 years of experience and proudly handle furniture restoration needs. Residents of Cincinnati, OH, turn to them for antique restoration, upholstery repairs, and more, so call (513) 771-6389 today. You can connect on Facebook for more furniture care tips and visit their website to learn more about their company.